KIRKLEES Conservatives have selected a new leader and deputy following the resignation of long-standing leader Councillor Robert Light.

Councillors David Hall (Liversedge and Gomersal) and Martyn Bolt (Mirfield) were elected unopposed last night by the Conservative group on Kirklees Council as the new leader and deputy respectively.

The new Conservative leader Cllr Hall, said: “It is an honour to replace Robert as leader of the Conservative group. I will work hard to ensure that our group contributes effectively to council business and continues to punch above its weight in Kirklees. We have a very talented team, and I am delighted to have Martyn as my deputy, as he is a good friend and has a wealth of experience to offer.

“We now need to build on the foundations Robert has laid over the past few years. He has steered the group through many different times, some difficult, and I respect his decision to retire as leader. I know he will continue to be a valued and respected member of our group on the backbenches.

“Our priorities this year will be to ensure we are an effective voice in the council on behalf of our constituents, and in the first instance that will involve trying to ensure that the new Council leader is the right person to take the Council forward. Should a Labour leader be proposed who we consider to be unacceptable, the Conservative group will oppose his or her election.”

The selection of a new group leader comes ahead of the authority's annual meeting, which is to take place tomorrow night.

Cllr Light announced last week that he was stepping down from his role as leader of the Conservative group after a decade and a half in the role.

He was first elected to represent Birstall and Birkenshaw in 1987 and in that time has served as council leader for three years.

He will continue as a councillor, but said: "I feel though that now is the right time to hand the reins to someone else and that I need to take a step back from the frontline and spend more time with my family and working for the residents of Birstall and Birkenshaw who have been good enough to elect me to represent them on so many occasions.

“I hope to continue to have influence in the wider political arena, but the time is right for a new leadership team to shape the Conservatives future in Kirklees.”